55 Drivers Warned or Cited in Back-to-School Traffic Enforcement
The Colorado State Patrol issued 31 citations and 24 warnings during a back-to-school traffic safety enforcement effort focused on school buses and school zones. The joint operation, conducted from Aug. 18–22, partnered with school districts in Douglas, Jefferson, Mesa, and Chaffee counties to raise awareness as the new academic year began.
Over 48 hours of patrols, 25 troopers monitored school zones, accompanied school buses, and stopped a total of 55 drivers. Speeding was the most frequent violation, but two motorists were cited specifically for failing to stop for a school bus. This particular infraction remains a serious concern for troopers, who report issuing 76 similar citations statewide in the past five years.
During that same five-year period, the agency also investigated six crashes involving school buses. Half of those collisions were linked to inattentive driving, highlighting the dangers children face around pick-up and drop-off areas. The space immediately surrounding a bus is considered one of the riskiest zones for young students, since visibility is limited and children may unexpectedly cross in front of or behind the vehicle.
Violations in these areas are treated with significant weight. Failing to stop for a bus can result in six points on a driver’s license, fines starting at $250, and a mandatory court appearance. Beyond the financial and legal consequences, troopers emphasize the potential risks to children’s safety when drivers ignore school zone laws.
The enforcement campaign comes at a time when traffic is increasing with the return of the school year and when many families are adjusting to new routines. By combining patrol presence with educational outreach, CSP hopes to remind drivers to slow down, stay alert, and follow the rules whenever they encounter a school bus or marked school zone. The agency stresses that ensuring students can travel safely to and from school is a shared responsibility on Colorado’s roads.
